Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Councilman Johnson,

 November 15, 2011

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Councilman Johnson,

Issue No.11 The Healthy Cleveland program got off to a bad start because most of the Council members felt there vote to ban trans fat was the right thing to do. Do you still feel the ban on the oils in some way, complement the ideals in democracy?

Please explain your thoughts on the ban to citizens in your ward through this WebSite. Most citizens in a democracy feel educating the public on any issue, and heeding the publics majority opinion on all issues, is most important before a ban is put on anything. Maybe through your explanation, citizens will better understand the way you voted was the right way.

Kind regards...Len.

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email to...November 15

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email to...November 30

October 28, 2011

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Councilman Johnson,

Issue No. 10… I was in violation of the "Seat Belt? safety law, when a camera on Pearl Rd. snapped a picture of me driving my car through a red light. A letter was sent to Mayor Jackson, which admitted to violating the state of Ohio law. I challenge him to respect the law by having a police officer write out a ticket, which I will sign, pay the penalty in court or waive the

Jackson’ letter…

http://clevelandcitizenechoesonline.com/wardgovweb19.htm

May 12, 2011

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Councilman Johnson,

Issue No. 7 Millions of Cleveland School District tax dollars, perhaps in the 300 million range (as declared in year 2002), for years have been placed in state and local bank investment accounts. It seems the investment portfolio was more important than providing textbooks to every student in years past. How do you justify such actions?

And no, "passing-the-buck" to an appointed school board, should not be acceptable to citizens, especially the ones who remember being left behind in schools without textbooks. The appointed members answer to the same people Frank Jackson does. To the keepers of portfolios and other important of business affiliates.

And no, "hands off" the schools is not valid until Council members start speaking the truth in public. But this is not going to happen because the truth will cause havoc among voters. But citizens expect involvement, which mean silence to Issue No. 7 hopefully, will be reflected in the vote at election time.

Kind regards…Len.

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Subject: Unresolved civic issues

Councilman Jeff Johnson,

SPECIAL NOTE. The issue below is not exactly accurate, although there are some leaders who treat the Newsletters as if the reports were discontinued. The question was framed this way, a slight deviation from the truth, in hopes of breaking through the silence.

Issue: No. 4 The Councilman’s Newsletters to ward citizens was discontinued, why?

More silence. Now really, that's no way to treat citizens who pay the bills in government... especially the pay checks to Council members.

The issue plus three previous ones will not go away. And if I get my way, the four issues and ones to come if silence persist, will become repeats during the forthcoming election year. And beyond if...

Silence to the people is not, IS NOT, a standard of conduct in democracy. It seems that you, including Jackson, need to return to high school for a refresher course in American History and the reasons why the founders of this country chose democracy as the ruling guide for our government.

(PLEASE NOTE - Issue No. 3 "Are you having scheduled (Town Hall) meetings with citizens in the ward? email is placed below this 
one)

August 20, 2010

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Subject: Unresolved civic issues

Councilman Johnson,

The question, "Are you having scheduled (Town Hall) meetings with citizens in the ward?" seems to be of know concern of yours. This may be because government affairs take precedence over the concerns of common folk. And Something seems very, very wrong with this picture.

Tilling voters during times of campaigning for reelection the truth, can right the picture. Did you ever till them, Don’t expect me to really listen to your opinion on the traffic cameras? The government is always in need of your money. Don’t expect me to really listen to your opinion on involvement in the schools. Sanders is doing a marvelous job, he does not deserve all the negative feedback from a public, who seemingly knows a lot about nothing. And now you want weekly, biweekly, or monthly meetings with citizens in the ward? Why? Can’t you just trust, and have faith that what I do in government, is done to benefit the community?

No, you wouldn’t dare speak the truth during campaigns for reelection, because if you did, I may not be addressing this memo to you now.

However, I always feel in doubt about what I write about? And have always challenged government leaders to set the record strait. I try to keep an open dialogue (email exchange of thoughts is always encouraged).

You may respond, and I hope I am wrong…it doesn’t matter, the people who vote for me, have been challenged to do the right thing, when the Plain Dealer did the right thing by endorsing me, a loyal government leader. And that Hough, is all that matters

email to... August 15

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email to... August 10

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August 7, 2010

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8

Issue: Are you having scheduled (Town Hall) meetings with citizens in the ward?

Councilman Johnson,

I need not dwell on the importance of Council chamber meetings to update members on old (but pending) and new business transactions taking place within government. However, some of these same dealings effect citizens city wide and should be included in scheduled ward meetings. Ward meetings with citizens are of prime importance in hearing resident concerns and finding resolve on issues that are causes for public anxiety.

When I receive the info on meetings with the public, I will post the schedule (places, dates, times, etc.) on the Ward Community Page below your email address.

If none is received, I will place the question, "Are you having scheduled (Town Hall) meetings with citizens in the ward?" below your email address with the following two words, "NO COMMENTS". I will follow this with references to this email and another to follow regarding unresolved civic issues.

Kind regards…Len.

July 27, 2010

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 8 

Subject: Unresolved civic issues

Councilman Johnson,

Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland public schools?

Silence again. I just don't get it. When you were on the campaign trail, did citizens get the silent treatment when issues were raised? A primary issue among citizens in Cleveland is public education...been that way for years. And for years public officials, including the mayor been ignoring the pleas once campaigns ended. And for some years now, I have been encouraging parents to monitor children's educational progress, and if the reverse of progress is becoming a disturbing factor, get them out before apathy toward learning consumes them.

Students that become "drop-outs" should be thought of as students who could have achieved beyond the scope of achieving high school diplomas. And yes, if people in power wish to blame negligent parents as the greatest contributors to the "drop-out" rate, the same people in power are to blame for not raising more effective, more preventive "drop-out" programs. Many of these students come from dysfunctional families; but with social skills training from the skilled professionals dedicated to helping youth through difficult times, which can curtail the possible lure of underground vice.

Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland public schools? I’m going to take a long shot guess on who ordered it. One would think it was the former CEO of schools Barbara Byrd-Bennett. She was a tyrannical leader of the schools plus… A favored autocrat of the civic elite (not all), and hand picked by former mayor Mike White, another favored of the privileged few. The Cleveland Foundation thought so highly of her that she received a 55 thousand-dollar bonus to do whatever. She might have received one every year, if it wasn’t for a state auditor’s report on the lack of providing expenditure documentation. In response to the auditor’s complaint, C.F. officials stated they did not expect Byrd-Bennett to provide receipts for how it was spent and therefore felt the auditor’s objection was in my assumption "petty". But they did stop the…what was it…a yearly gift?

Byrd-Bennett’s power exceeded former mayor Jane Campbell’s who had "Mayor Control of the Schools". Technically Campbell had "Mayor control…" but as many citizens know, "control" was in the hands of Byrd-Bennett. During Campbell’s four years in office, she tippy-toed around Byrd-Bennett. Did Campbell do the right thing? Yes, when she went begging for campaign funds among the suburban "shakers and movers" her freedom to lead was altered. Did Campbell do the right thing by the voters? Absolutely not! Citizens expected real involvement in the schools, but Byrd-Bennett stood in the doorways with stern looks, and challenged her to do something about it. She yielded to the higher powers and turned away, but no matter where she looked, parents of students, citizens and youth looked back in frustration and wondered why? Year after year, she watched the "drop-out" rate soar beyond the norm. Campbell didn’t do what the voters expected, she followed the dictates of powers that should have been challenged, for the sake of youth caught in a web of chaotic circumstances which harmed the normal flow of education. So in the area of education, Campbell’s leadership was a failure. "Mayor control of the Schools" was a serious joke; Campbell played on the community.

The same goes for members of City Council. I remember a meeting leaders had with Byrd-Bennett that made them look like hurt puppies running away with tails between their legs. Byrd-Bennett roared back at them, "You’re not my boss" when they tried to get a point across. They caved into the CEO’s demands to stay out of her business. And when officials honored Byrd-Bennett’s demands, their silence to the parents of students, citizens and concerns of youth, contributed to the low academic ratings in too many schools.

Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland public schools? The long shot guess of mine is just that, Byrd-Bennett may have echoed it, but who was behind the scenes firmly nudging her on? There is a power behind leadership that frees leaders to act in certain ways…as long as the top brass is in accord.

History is repeating itself today. The PD in 3 editorials encouraged Jackson to get involved with the teachers contract dispute, but instead "hands off". The Cleveland Foundation is now pouring millions of dollars into the schools. But don’t ask for accountability, It’s private funds, "hands off". Polensek made a lot of noise during the Byrd-Bennett years, but no action, "FOR THE KIDS". Hay, the roar of the lion scared the puppy into the doghouse where Sanders just might keep him. Now Jeff Johnson is making the same noise with Sanders, but lacks the courage to leap like a lion, "FOR THE KIDS". And so it seems with all the silence toward the current issue. All 19 members of Council it seems are lacking the courage to get involved, "FOR THE KIDS". Make a liar out of me; all it takes is one brave member to defy the top brass. No biggie! Citizens will protect the brave who is willing to stand tall for the youth in this city.

When Sanders entered the Cleveland school system, he created a five-year plan to supposedly elevate education for all students. But instead, the drop-out rate escalated and charter schools increased. If 21 Council members bucked the "hands off" order "FOR THE KIDS" to help achieve the plans goal in various ways, parents of students, the public and youth would have applauded the efforts, especially from citizens whose powers are limited in changing anything in the schools. Not so with public officials who have the power to go beyond ShowTime drama.

Now Sanders has another five-year plan he is hoping will work. And with the combined efforts of 19 Council members getting involved in what citizens pleaded for in past campaigns, in emails, letters, phone calls and so on. The "hands on" attempts will produce positive results. But until officials understand that any plan, by Sanders or anyone else, needs evolvement, I will continue encouraging parents to be vigilant in the educational growth of children. If it’s not happening within a reasonable time span, get them out of the schools, and carefully chose ones with good report cards from the Ohio Department of Education. And do it before children understand the meaning and lure of shiftless attitudes in the words, "drop-out".

July 14, 2010

Councilman Jeff Johnson, Ward 14

Subject:  Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland public schools?

Councilman Johnson,

Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland public schools? The PD first revealed this during the Campbell years. But what they failed to state is who ordered it?

Councilman Jeff Johnson served in the Campbell administration when the PD published the info.

On April 6, 2010 I sent an email to him which included the following...

"During former mayor Jane Campbell's term in office, the Plain Dealer in one of their articles, in reference to her stated "hands off" the school district. The PD never provided info on who made the "hands off" demand. During that time, you worked for her. Citizens have been asking me if I know. I wish I could provide some answers, but you can. Who demanded "hands off" the school district?" 

Johnson failed to respond to a request many citizens are now asking.                                    

Now it's your turn to find out, who demanded "hands off" the school district? And report your findings to citizens, via this WebSite's Ward 8 Community Page.

Kind regards...Len.

June 23, 2010 

Councilman Jeffrey Johnson, Ward 8

Subject: Unresolved civic issues

Councilman Johnson,

Unresolved civic issues have caused unnecessary perplexity in the lives of too many Ward 8 citizens. They struggle to find answers but who among the political authority is listening? Who among the political authority is willing to provide answers? The issue of the traffic cameras has caused citizens to move beyond the silence. Citizens who are willing to go the distance, to overcome the recession of silent leaders put in front of them, are the people worth writing about, and lending support to. They are doing what leaders should be doing.

Some of the issues I will be writing about in the future will be revisions of the old. If silence is all Johnson can offer citizens, the ethical thing to do is resign.

The excerpt below is from the PD article, "A shrinking Cleveland may have hit population bottom" by Robert L. Smith Tuesday, June 22, 2010

"According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city lost 2,658 people in 2009 as the population fell to 431,363. It was the largest numerical drop among America's major cities."

Every politician in the past nine years who ignored the issues of Cleveland citizens, some of which I focused attention on, played a large roll in the exodus of people leaving this town. If it continues they all need to resign. When politicians turn their backs on citizen concerns at City Hall and in the public schools, residents get this strange feeling that taxes and the vote, is all that matters.

Ward 8 citizens deserve better, better communities, a better Cleveland. This is the dream behind the vote. But silence toward civic issues is the dark side of the dream, which citizens will continue bringing into the light until the unresolved is resolved or as we noted in the census count, move into communities where they are treated by government officials more like VIP's. I will continue honoring the dreams of citizens by writing about the issues…that just don’t seem to go away in the dreams of most local politicians.

This basic message was sent to all Council members…with a little ray of hope…

I wish I could end this writing with…Kind regards from Cleveland citizen "Echoes" But there still is a little ray of hope…

...that is currently provided by citizens involved in the traffic camera issue.

Saving Cleveland will not happen on the Drew Carey celebrity circuit. As I stated in a past article, if he is willing to hold hands with the now involved common folk, saving Cleveland with a lot of "blood, sweat and tears, ray of hope" has a chance.

This memo will be placed above Council member emails on the traffic camera issue, in all the Community Ward Pages.

Absent from Ward 8, thus far, is the Councilman's Newsletter. When can citizens expect them to arrive at homes?

Are you having community meetings? And if so is there a schedule available for citizens who may like to attend?

During former mayor Jane Campbell's term in office, the Plain Dealer in one of their articles, in reference to her stated "hands off" the school district. The PD never provided info on who made the "hands off" demand. During that time, you worked for her. Citizens have been asking me if I know. I wish I could provide some answers, but you can. Who demanded "hands off" the school district?